Steadiness and Flow: A Meditation, Qigong and Yoga Silent Retreat
With Mimi Kuo-Deemer and Margi Young
Locanda della Quercia Calante, Umbria, Italy
Saturday – Saturday, September 3 - 10, 2022
One room now available!
This weeklong retreat will explore the richness of silence, stillness and flow through meditation, qigong and yoga. Each day will include guided meditation and gentle movement-based practices. Most of the retreat will be held in silence, though the beginning and end of the retreat will offer time to transition into and out of working with group silence. Meditations will be based on the Buddhist teachings on mindfulness. Yoga and qigong will be designed to nourish and support deeper embodiment.
The retreat will be held at Locanda della Quercia Calante, a beautifully renovated farmhouse in the Umbrian hills of Italy. Located just 150 km/90 miles north of Rome, the centre has a spacious grounds, fully equipped studio, outdoor practise deck, two swimming pools, a whirlpool, elegant rooms, and a restaurant serving local Umbrian cuisine. You can see the property at www.querciacalante.com.
BASIC DAILY SCHEDULE
Your day will begin with meditation and qigong practice. After breakfast, there will be a morning session that will include a dharma talk, mindful movement (yoga and qigong), and walking, standing and sitting meditation. After lunch there is free time. The afternoon session will include mediation and restorative yoga to establish deep ease and presence. We will then have dinner followed by an evening meditation to close the day. Small group meetings will also take place throughout the week as opportunities to check in with Mimi and Margi.
“I have been on several retreats over the years, but this silent retreat was unlike any other. I arrived stressed and overworked. Not only was the setting beautiful and the food delicious, I also enjoyed a daily dose of meditation, qigong, yoga and mindfulness, skilfully and wisely led by Mimi and James. The medicine worked. Soon all my troubles melted away and in the stillness I could see clearly again just how breathtakingly beautiful it is to be alive. It was a magical experience that I will always treasure. ”
“I thoroughly enjoyed this week and would recommend it to anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of yoga, qigong and meditation. Mimi created a wonderful sense of peace and tranquility, helped by the beautiful Umbrian countryside and fantastic venue. I came stressed and tired by the demands of modern life, and left with a new sense of calm and understanding which I can carry out with me now into my life. A wonderful week.”
ACCOMMODATIONS
Single and double rooms are available. Each room has a private bathroom and outdoor porch overlooking the park of the Locanda della Quercia Calante. Guest rooms are simply furnished in typical Umbrian style, with individual thermostats, terracotta floors, wooden ceiling beams and brick walls. All rooms are renovated with the most innovative natural architectural criteria: only natural mortar, paint and wax; no electromagnetic fields thanks to electric circuit breakers; water is heated by a solar panel system and electricity is generated by photovoltaic panels.
CUISINE
Meals at La Locanda della Quercia Calante are extraordinary, well-balanced and carefully planned by the owners, who take great care with their selection of ingredients. The cuisine is typical of Umbria and Tuscany, based on local products, made fresh daily, and 90% organically grown on the Locanda della Quercia Calante farm. Meals will be vegetarian. The talented head cook Marisa can cater to any dietary requirements you may have.
The restaurant includes a beautiful hearth in the dining room. There is a charming outdoor dining area as well.
ARRIVALS AND TRAVEL SUGGESTIONS
Check-in is from 5:00 pm on September 3. Check-out on Saturday, September 10, is 10am. We will leave after an early send-off lunch. The bus will return you to the airport by 3:00 pm on September 10.
La Locanda can be reached by train and taxi, or we will offer a shuttle bus pick up and drop off to/from the Rome Fiumicino airport on September 3 in the afternoon (approx 15:15 departure from airport, check-in 17:00 to La Locanda). An introduction will follow with dinner and an evening mediation.
Arrivals to Rome:
We suggest you fly into and out of Rome Fiumicino airport, as we will arrange for pickup and drop off from there to the retreat centre for a cost of approx. €75 return. Details will be provided upon registration.
Traveling from London: London Heathrow (British Airways) and London Gatwick (Veuling) both have many flights a day to Rome Fiumicino.
COST (PER PERSON) AND DEPOSITS
Double/twin shared room: £1280
Single room: £1550
Deposit: A non-refundable deposit of £300, payable to Daoist Flow Retreats Ltd, will reserve your space on the retreat.* The price includes all practise sessions, three meals/day and accommodations. Transportation costs are not included. Payment can be made by online payment or bank transfer. WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO GIVE YOU THE ROOM YOU WISH, BUT ALL ROOMS ARE AVAILABLE ON FIRST COME BASIS AND DETERMINED BASED ON AVAILABILITY. PLEASE INDICATE PREFERENCE FOR ROOM, AND WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO MEET YOUR REQUEST.
*NOTE: If the retreat must be cancelled due to government policies regarding COVID19 or any other force majeure, we will do our best to reschedule the retreat. In the event that the retreat cannot take place, you will have the option to 1) ask your travel insurance to reimburse your deposit or 2) apply your deposit towards the new dates for the retreat or a future retreat.
Contact: Mimi at retreats@mkdeemer.com
Cancellation Policy: Please let us know as soon as possible if something comes up and you cannot attend our retreat. We'll refund you the the full amount you've paid minus the deposit of £300 if you cancel 30 days BEFORE the start of the retreat. If you cancel WITHIN 30 days of the retreat, we won't be able to issue any refund unless we find a replacement for the vacancy created by your cancellation. If we do find a replacement, however, we will refunded everything you've paid minus the deposit to you within 15 days.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance, including cancellation insurance, when you book the retreat.
One room now available!